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Chris Saper · 09-22-2001, 03:25 PM

Dear Susan,

With respect to ASOPA and The Portrait Society of America, both are excellent organizations to belong to for a variety of purposes, particularly educational and networking functions. If you can find a way to attend one of the major seminars, your resources will be well invested.

However, I would not look to either type of membership as likely to result in sales. For the most part your benefits and relationships will have to do with other artists, and the making of your art. It is my general impression that the few painters who place as finalists in the national competitions are in a different postition of being able to benefit (commission-wise) from their involvement. In the past however, it has been extremely expensive even to enter these competitions as you must be financially prepared to register, travel to, and attend the seminars. That being said, if your budget permits general membership fees, by all means, join both.

If your work and price structure are such that you are able to contract with portrait brokerage firms, this would a more likely way to generate commissions. However, you must be somewhat prepared to travel to your clients...as you say, you have a regular job, and you would need to gauge how flexible its demands may be.

I would also say that marketing and advertising must be an ongoing effort. Beginning in your local community is the most sensible way to start, I believe. If you decide to use paid advertising, you should be prepared to make a 6-12 month commitment to repeat ads; one-shot advertising is virtually assured to be a waste of money.

I think that you must also be prepared to do a lot of free work in the beginning, until such time as you have a body of work in people's homes or offices that may generate inquiries. Free work that hangs for example, in the lobby of a church, a civil office or similarly visible location can be valuable.

I hope this is helpful to you, as the notion of marketing and sales can literally fill volumes.

Kindest regards, Chris Saper

09-22-2001, 03:25 PM	#2
Chris Saper SENIOR MODERATOR SOG Member FT Professional, Author '03 Finalist, PSofATL '02 Finalist, PSofATL '02 1st Place, WCSPA '01 Honors, WCSPA Featured in Artists Mag. Joined: Jun 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,481	Dear Susan, With respect to ASOPA and The Portrait Society of America, both are excellent organizations to belong to for a variety of purposes, particularly educational and networking functions. If you can find a way to attend one of the major seminars, your resources will be well invested. However, I would not look to either type of membership as likely to result in sales. For the most part your benefits and relationships will have to do with other artists, and the making of your art. It is my general impression that the few painters who place as finalists in the national competitions are in a different postition of being able to benefit (commission-wise) from their involvement. In the past however, it has been extremely expensive even to enter these competitions as you must be financially prepared to register, travel to, and attend the seminars. That being said, if your budget permits general membership fees, by all means, join both. If your work and price structure are such that you are able to contract with portrait brokerage firms, this would a more likely way to generate commissions. However, you must be somewhat prepared to travel to your clients...as you say, you have a regular job, and you would need to gauge how flexible its demands may be. I would also say that marketing and advertising must be an ongoing effort. Beginning in your local community is the most sensible way to start, I believe. If you decide to use paid advertising, you should be prepared to make a 6-12 month commitment to repeat ads; one-shot advertising is virtually assured to be a waste of money. I think that you must also be prepared to do a lot of free work in the beginning, until such time as you have a body of work in people's homes or offices that may generate inquiries. Free work that hangs for example, in the lobby of a church, a civil office or similarly visible location can be valuable. I hope this is helpful to you, as the notion of marketing and sales can literally fill volumes. Kindest regards, Chris Saper __________________ www.ChrisSaper.com Last edited by Cynthia Daniel; 09-22-2001 at 03:58 PM.